Oregon National Guard Troops Return Home After Federal Orders

All members of the Oregon National Guard who were on federal orders will return home, following a decision announced by Governor Tina Kotek. This announcement came after the federal deployment, initiated by the Trump administration, faced significant legal challenges and public scrutiny.

The U.S. Northern Command informed Kotek that it is demobilizing the 200 Oregon Guard members who had been under federal control since September 28, 2025. Earlier this week, the federal government had ordered half of these troops home while continuing the deployment for the remaining members. “They spent nearly 50 days away from their families, friends and civilian jobs on an unnecessary mission that cost taxpayers millions of dollars,” Kotek stated.

The deployment of National Guard troops to Portland was heavily criticized and legally challenged. The troops had been stationed at a coastal training camp while awaiting the outcome of legal proceedings. On October 4, 2025, U.S. District Judge Karin Immergut issued a preliminary ruling that blocked the Trump administration’s efforts to deploy these troops. Immergut later ruled that the ongoing protests outside the city’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility did not constitute a “rebellion” against the government, thereby preventing any federalized deployments to Portland.

Following her ruling, the Trump administration appealed to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. Meanwhile, another contingent of 200 California National Guard troops sent to Oregon after this initial ruling remained at a different military base in the state.

The financial implications of this deployment have been significant. The Oregon Military Department estimates that the operation cost taxpayers approximately $16 million. National Guard members will now need to travel to Texas for demobilization, which includes essential medical and mental health screenings. It remains uncertain whether these troops will reunite with their families in Oregon by Thanksgiving.

As the situation unfolds, Kotek urged President Trump to focus on pressing domestic issues, stating, “Now that this ordeal is ending, I call on President Trump to honor his oath and focus on the real challenges facing Americans — helping families afford their health care, housing and basic costs of living without breaking the bank.”

The return of the Oregon National Guard signifies a conclusion to a contentious chapter marked by legal battles and public protests, reflecting the broader challenges facing federal and state relationships in managing civil unrest.